Marketplace Morning Report for Monday, December 5, 2011

Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti unveiled a firm austerity plan for his country. In the wake of a tempestuous month for leadership, we take a look at accountability, both in Europe and at American universities. Allan Sloan explains the payroll tax cuts, and reporter David Gura spotlights the increasing wealth gap.

President Obama meets at the White House today with a small group of university and college presidents on how to reduce the cost of higher education. But the answers might have to come from the schools themselves.

this week, President Obama's expected to put the pressure on Congress to approve his nominee to head the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau. But Republicans vow to hold up any nominee until the bureau itself gets overhauled.

Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti unveiled a firm austerity plan for his country. In the wake of a tempestuous month for leadership, we take a look at accountability, both in Europe and at American universities. Allan Sloan explains the payroll tax cuts, and reporter David Gura spotlights the increasing wealth gap.

In the aftermath of the recent scandals at various universities, there have been calls for the leaders of these institutions to step down. Should higher education officials be held accountable for what happens far down the leadership chain?